Rohit Sharma ton in vain as India lose 1st ODI

Sydney: Opener Rohit Sharma’s valiant century went in vain as India lost the opening One-day International to Australia by 34 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Saturday.

Chasing a healthy 289, Rohit anchored India’s innings with a breezy 129-ball 133, laced with 10 fours and six sixes to overcome a sloppy start before pacer Jhye Richardson’s 4/26 brought the hosts back to restrict the visitors to 254/9 at the end of 50 overs.

Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (51) also came up with a defiant half century and shared a 137-run fourth wicket stand with Rohit but eventually failed to take the men-in-blue over the line.